One transaction has just redrawn the map of global real estate advisory. Savills Plc has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of Eastdil Secured LLC for an enterprise value of approximately €964m, creating what now ranks as the world's number two advisory firm for prime commercial real estate transactions above approximately €87m. The deal, first announced on 12 March 2026, unites one of the world's leading international real estate advisory networks with the preeminent global real estate investment bank, two firms that have long operated in the same rooms, with the same clients, but on different sides of the table. With completion confirmed, they share the same table.
The transaction was funded through loan finance and the issue of new ordinary shares in Savills, representing approximately 16% of the Group's enlarged share capital, issued directly to the ultimate equity holders of Eastdil Secured. Those holders are Guggenheim, Temasek and Wells Fargo, alongside the Eastdil Secured leadership team and senior employees, all of whom have become shareholders in Savills in exchange for their existing interests. With completion, Eastdil Secured is rebranded to "Eastdil Secured Savills" with immediate effect, operating as the Savills Group's dedicated Real Estate Investment Bank, delivering advice on mergers and acquisitions, continuation vehicles and joint ventures, sales, debt placement, structured credit and loan sales to institutional investors across the globe.
The executive structure of Eastdil Secured Savills is newly configured for scale. Roy H. March serves as Executive Chairman, responsible for client advisory and execution. D. Michael Van Konynenburg takes the role of Chief Executive Officer, overseeing day-to-day operations, strategy and key client advisory. James McCaffrey serves as President, specifically tasked with spearheading international growth from London. Both Van Konynenburg and McCaffrey join the Savills Group Executive Board. Eastdil Secured Savills maintains key headquarters in New York, Santa Monica and London, with its 21 existing offices now part of Savills' network spanning more than 70 countries.
Simon Shaw, Group Chief Executive of Savills Plc, commented: "Together we provide a stronger, globally connected platform enabling us to deliver for clients at every stage of the property cycle. We are thrilled to welcome like-minded colleagues to the group, and I believe that, together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to fulfil client needs across all real estate sectors and geographies." D. Michael Van Konynenburg, Chief Executive Officer of Eastdil Secured Savills, said: "This is an important milestone for our firm. With the transaction complete, we look forward to working alongside our colleagues at Savills to broaden the expertise and resources available to our clients while continuing to deliver the unparalleled capital markets expertise, execution and discretion that have long defined Eastdil Secured. Together, we are well-positioned to expand our capabilities and create new opportunities for our clients and our people."
James McCaffrey, President of Eastdil Secured Savills, added: "This combination enhances our ability to deliver advice, execution and market insight through a broader global platform for clients in EMEA— and around the world—whose strategies increasingly span markets and borders. By bringing together strength with strength, we are better positioned to help clients capitalise on new opportunities through our combined expertise." James Sparrow, CEO of Savills UK & EME, commented: "The coming together of Eastdil Secured and Savills is one of the most exciting developments in my long career with the firm. The two businesses are incredibly complementary in terms of what we do and who we work for. Most critically, our cultures are totally aligned. I believe this will result in a unique, holistic and best in class offering for our Clients and it will be transformational for our EMEA platform, as well as the wider Group."
What the announcement does not address directly, but which carries enormous significance for European investors and developers evaluating their capital and advisory relationships, is what the conversion of Guggenheim, Temasek and Wells Fargo into Savills shareholders actually means in practice. These are not passive financial investors. Guggenheim is a major institutional asset manager with a global credit and real estate platform. Temasek is Singapore's sovereign wealth fund and one of the most active global capital allocators in real estate. Wells Fargo is a leading lender to the commercial real estate sector. Their equity stakes in Savills create a degree of connectivity between advisory, investment banking and institutional capital that no other single real estate advisory platform currently offers. For EMEA-based developers seeking recapitalisation, joint venture equity or structured debt, having an adviser connected by shareholder relationships to those three capital pools changes what is achievable in the room. Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Savills numbers more than 42,000 professionals across more than 70 countries. Eastdil Secured Savills has 21 offices globally and continues to operate as the Group's dedicated real estate investment bank.
People mentioned:
- Simon Shaw, Group Chief Executive, Savills Plc
- Roy H. March, Executive Chairman, Eastdil Secured Savills
- D. Michael Van Konynenburg, Chief Executive Officer, Eastdil Secured Savills
- James McCaffrey, President, Eastdil Secured Savills
- James Sparrow, CEO, Savills UK & EME
Image: Simon Shaw, Group Chief Executive of Savills Plc, and D. Michael Van Konynenburg, CEO of Eastdil Secured Savills. Source: Savills
Companies mentioned:
- Savills, global real estate advisory firm listed on the London Stock Exchange and acquirer of Eastdil Secured
- Eastdil Secured Savills, the rebranded global real estate investment bank, operating as the Savills Group's dedicated capital markets advisory arm
- Guggenheim, institutional asset manager and existing shareholder in Eastdil Secured, now a shareholder in Savills Plc
- Temasek, Singapore-based sovereign wealth fund and existing shareholder in Eastdil Secured, now a shareholder in Savills Plc
- Wells Fargo, US financial institution and existing shareholder in Eastdil Secured, now a shareholder in Savills Plc
